Web registration device

ABSTRACT

A web registration device having utility for registering the position of labels as the latter are fed from a continuous web within which individual labels are separated by periodic weakened lines utilizes an indexing element which engages the web and diverts the latter from a straight line path of travel. When a weakened line of the web engages the indexing element, the weakened line bends and a greater pulling force is required to pull the web past the indexing element. Because of the greater pulling force required, the means for pulling the web slips relative to the web and the weakened line remains temporarily bent or hooked on the indexing element so that the position of the labels will always be registered relative to the indexing element.

United States Patent [72] Inventor Otto Paul Kalmbach Warrington, Pa. [21] Appl. No. 845,695 [22] Filed July 29, 1969 [45] Patented June 8, I971 [73] Assignee American Can Company New York, N.Y.

[54] WEB REGISTRATION DEVICE 11 Claims, 9 Drawing Figs.

(52] US. Cl 226/33, 226/39, 226/95,226/l14, 226/145 [51] Int. Cl B65h 17/36 [50] Field of Search 226/27, 32, 33, 38, 39, 113, 114, 95, I45

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,859,962 5/1932 Ferenci 226/114X 2,650,823 9/1953 Chambon ABSTRACT: A web registration device having utility for registering the position of labels as the latter are fed from a continuous web within which individual labels are separated by periodic weakened lines utilizes an indexing element which engages the web and diverts the latter from a straight line path of travel. When a weakened line of the web engages the indexing element, the weakened line bends and a greater pulling force is required to pull the web past the indexing element. Because of the greater pulling force required, the means for pulling the web slips relative to the web and the weakened line remains temporarily bent or hooked on the indexing element so that the position of the labels will always be registered relative to the indexing element.

PATENTEB JUN e |97I 3583616 INVENTOR. OTTO PAUL KALMBACH gwzw ATTQRNEY WEB REGISTRATION DEVICE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION When feeding continuously connected labels from a roll or stack in which labels are connected by weakened lines such as perforated lines or separated by score lines, it is necessary to provide means to register the position of the labels because any feed mechanism will tend to allow creep forwards or backwards after a few cycles. Generally, registration is effected by providing a device which senses or otherwise determines the positions of the perforation or score line and thereby activates an operating mechanism which controls the feed of the labels to dispose the perforation or score line in a predetermined position. Accordingly, the labels will always be located in the correct position for subsequent positioning or transfer to a label application device which applies the label to an article.

Heretofore, one known registration device consists of a photoelectric unit which is located to sense the position of a phototarget on the label stock as the latter passes a predetermined position. The photoelectric unit is connected in a circuit which is operable to apply a brake to the label feed to stop the feed so as to locate the perforation of score line in a predetermined position. Other known registration devices utilize feeler elements which engage and push or pull a notch or perforation in the label stock.

These known devices require special provisions on the label stock, e.g. phototargets or notches, which add to the expense of the label stock and which tend to detract from the appearance of the label. Also, these known devices frequently involve complicated and intricate apparatus, including the necessity for electrical circuitry in the case where photoelectric units are used, thereby presenting greater operational and maintenance problems.

According to the present invention, the aforesaid disadvantages of known prior-art registration devices are overcome by providing an indexing unit which is operable without requiring any notches or other special sensing or target means on the label stock. The indexing unit of the present invention is operable to sense the position of the label as a consequence of the bending of the label stock at the line of weakness. The indexing apparatus of the present invention senses a label perforation or score by the tendency of the latter to bend when the label stock is diverted from a straight line feed path. By causing the label stock to thus bend, the label stock develops a greater resistance to being fed. This excessive resistance is utilized to cause the label stock feeding or pulling mechanism to slip, thereby always stopping the feed of the label stock at the same registration point. Any number of parallel indexing devices may be operated by a single master feed so that multiple rolls of label stock may be fed simultaneously.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a web registration device having utility for registering the position of labels as the latter are fed from a continuous web within which individual labels are separated by weakened lines. Indexing means having an indexing element disposed along the path of travel of the web as the latter is advanced utilizes an indexing element having an indexing position which engages the web and diverts the latter from a straight line path of travel. When a weakened line of the web engages the indexing element, the weakened line bends at the indexing element and a greater pulling force is required to pull the web past the indexing element. Transfer means for pulling the web are provided with a slippage arrangement so that the transfer means slips relative to the web and the weakened line remains temporarily bent or hooked on the indexing element. Accordingly, the position of the labels will always be registered relative to the indexing element.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a plan view of a label registration device constructed according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is an elevational view of the label registration device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary plan view of the label registration device showing the position of the parts when the label web is being fed out before indexing;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary plan view similar to FIG. 3 but showing the position of the parts just after indexing but before registration;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary plan view similar to FIG. 3 but showing the position of the parts after indexing and registration;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 6-6 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 7-7 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view, part of which is broken away, taken substantially along the line 8-8 of FIG. 7; and

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 9-9 of FIG. 8.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to the drawings, FIGS. 1 and 2 show a web label registration device 10 operating in conjunction with a label feed device 12. Two rolls of labels l4 and 16 are disposed on vertical axes and each feeds a continuous web 18 and 20 respectively, of connected labels to the label registration device 10. The webs 18, 20 are pulled through the label registration device 10 by the label feed device 12. More specifically, reciprocal horizontal transfer plates 22, 24 having vacuum grooves 26, 28 respectively, grip the forward or leading portions of the webs 18, 20 and upon being reciprocated, pull the webs 18, 20 from left to right.

As can best be seen in FIG. 2, each web 18, 20 is provided with regularly spaced, transverse perforations lines 30 so that a complete label 32 is included between two horizontally spaced perforations lines 30. In the illustrated embodiment, a group of three labels 32 is severed or separated from the web 18 or 20 upon each cycle of operation.

The horizontal transfer plates 22, 24 have a horizontal length approximately equal to the horizontal length of six individual labels 32. However, the transfer plates 22, 24 are horizontally reciprocal over a stroke just slightly greater than the horizontal length of three labels 32, as will be further described hereinafter. Thus, the transfer plates 22, 24 function to pull three labels 32 at a time through the registration device 10, sever every third label from its respective web 18, 20 and thereafter transfer the group of three severed labels to vertical transfer plates 32, 24 which transfer or lower them to the containers C, the group of three labels being individually severed as they are simultaneously applied to the containers C.

Turning to a more detailed consideration of the invention, the freely rotatable rolls of labels 14, 16 feed the webs 18, 20 between pairs of guide rolls 36, 38 and 40, 42 respectively. Thereafter, each web 18, 20 passes through the operating mechanism of the indexing device which is operable to index every third label on the webs l8 and 20. The indexing mechanism for the web 18 comprises a guide roll 44 rotatable about a vertical axle 46 an a bellcrank lever 48 mounted for pivotal movement on the upper portion of the axle 46. The bellcrank lever 48 has one arm 50 carrying on its upper face an actuating lug 52. The other arm 54 of the bellcrank lever 48 carries a vertically disposed indexing rod 56. It will be seen that the bellcrank lever 48 is adapted to be pivoted between the position shown in FIG. 3 wherein it rests against a stop 58 and a position shown in FIG. 4 wherein it rests against another stop 60. It will further be apparent that the vertical indexing rod 56 is located on the inboard side of the web 18 so that rod 56 displaces and diverts the web from its straight line path when the bellcrank lever 48 is pivoted counterclockwise from the FIG. 3 to the FIG. 4 position. The objectives to be achieved by this indexing operation will become apparent as the description proceeds.

The indexing mechanism for the web 20 is similar to that described above and comprises a guide roll 62 rotatable about a vertical axle 64 and a lever 66 mounted for pivotal movement on the upper portion of the axle 64. The inner lever 66 carries a verticallydisposed indexing rod 68 which functions similar to the indexing rod 56 previously described. The lever 66 is connected to the arm 54 of bellcrank lever 48 by means of a connecting line 70 (FIG. 3), so that the lever 66 and arm 54 pivot together as a unit. The connecting link 70 is connected to the lever 66 and arm 54 by the pivotal connections 72 and 74 respectively.

The lever 66 and arm 54 are normally maintained in the position shown in FIG. 3 with the arm 54 resting against the stop 58 due to a biasing means in the form of a spring 76. In the position of FIG. 3, the webs 18, 20 transverse a straight line path through the indexing mechanism. In order to pivot the arm 54 and lever 66 to the indexing position shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, an actuating means is provided to engage the actuating lug 52. Such actuating means comprises a power cylinder 78 operable to reciprocate a piston rod 80. Fixed to the piston rod 80 are a pair of spaced collars 82 and 84 between which there is slidably supported an operating finger 86 which is normally biased against the collar 84 by the coil spring 88.

When the piston rod 80 is reciprocated to the right from the position shown in FIG. 3 to the position shown in FIG. 4 ofthe drawings, the operating finger 86 will engage the lug 52 on the arm 50 of the bellcrank lever 48 and, will pivot the latter along with lever 66 from the FIG. 3 position to the FIG. 4 position. Pivotal movement of the arm 54 is arrested by engagement with the stop 60. If the piston rod 80 continues to travel slightly further to the right after the arm 54 engages stop 60, the slidable finger 86 will merely slide on the piston rod 80 and against the bias of spring 88 as the arm 54 remains stationary against the stop 60. Accordingly, the piston rod 80 may have a stroke slightly greater than that required to pivot the arm 54 from the FIG. 3 to the FIG. 4 positions.

Since the indexing mechanism operates in conjunction with the label feed device 12, a description of the latter will be set forth before describing the overall operation.

It will be recalled that the label feed device 12 comprises a pair of horizontal transfer plates 22, 24 having vacuum grooves 26, 28 respectively which serve to adhere thereto the leading sections of the webs 18, respectively, to pull the latter through the indexing mechanism 10. Operating in conjunction with the horizontal transfer plates 22, 24 are a pair of stationary holding plates 90, 92 which also have a series of vacuum grooves respective 94, 96. Each holding plate 90, 92 has a horizontal length equal to the horizontal length of the transfer plates 22, 24 which, are previously mentioned, are at least equal to the horizontal length of six individual labels 32. The side of the holding plates 90, 92 having the vacuum groove openings therein face the side of the corresponding transfer plates 22, 24 having the vacuum groove openings therein, whereby when the webs I8, 20 are disposed therebetween, either one of the transfer plates 22, 24 or holding plates 90, 92 may grip the webs I8, 20 respectively, as will be described hereinafter. Accordingly, the mating pair of holding plates and transfer plates 22, 90 and 24, 92 are spaced from one another a distance just slightly greater than the thickness of the paper web 18 or 20.

The transfer plates 22, 24 are mounted for reciprocal horizontal movement a distance just slightly greater than the length of three labels 32. The reciprocal movement is effected by the same operating cylinder 78, previously described, used for reciprocating the piston rod 80 and operating finger 86. Thus, the operating cylinder 78 operates a second piston rod 95 which in turn is affixed to the two horizontal transfer plates 22, 24 by the yoke 99. The operating cylinder 78 is mounted on a supporting frame 97 (FIG. 2) for the label feed device by the brackets 98. As can best be seen in FIG. 2, the two pistons rods 80, are fixed to a common piston 100 and extend from opposite sides of the latter. A fluid medium, e.g. compressed air, is admitted to and discharged from the operating cylinder 78 by the connections I01, 102 shown in FIG. 2.

The vacuum grooves 94, 96 in the stationary holding plates 90, 92 communicate with a source of vacuum (not shown) through vacuum line 104 having branch lines 106 and I08, each of which leads to a series of vacuum grooves in one-half the horizontal length of the holding plates 90, 92 as can best be seen in FIG. 2. The vacuum grooves 26, 28 in the horizontal transfer plates 22, 24 communicate with a source of vacuum (not shown) through a passage I06 (FIG. 6) in the yoke 99, the passage 106 in turn being in communication with a vacuum line 112.

Included in the label feed device 12 is a label breaker indicated generally at 114 (FIG. 2), which is operable to break the line of perforations 30 of every third label 32. The label breaker H4 is located midway along the horizontal length of the holding plates 90, 92. Referring to the label breaker 114 associated with the holding plate 92 and transfer plate 24, as shown in detail in FIGS. 7 to 9, opposing vertical grooves 116, I18 are provided in the transfer plate 24 and holding plate 92 respectively. The vertical groove 118 in the holding plate 92 is covered with a flexible diaphragm 120 made of rubber or similar material. In order to secure the diaphragm 120 in position over the groove 118, a holding frame or retaining member 122 engages the borders along the four edges of the diaphragm 120 and holds the borders against a ledge extending around the groove 118, as can best be seen in FIG. 9. The retaining member I22 may be held in place by a force fit or by suitable threaded fasteners such as machine screws (not shown).

It will be apparent that the diaphragm 120 closes off the open face of the groove 118. Accordingly, when air under pressure is introduced into the groove 118, as will be described, the diaphragm 120 will flex outwardly into the adjacent groove 116 in the horizontal transfer plate 24. Thus, the grooves 116, M8 disposed opposite one another as shown in FIG. 9, with the paper web 20 disposed between the two grooves I16, 118 with one of the lines of perforation 30 on web 20 disposed opposite the grooves 116, 1118. Introduction of air under pressure into groove 118 will cause diaphragm 120 to expand into groove I16 and in so doing to urge the paper web, into the latter groove 116. However, since the paper is not flexible, as is the rubber diaphragm I20, and since the line of perforation 32 is located between the two grooves 116, 118, it will be readily apparent that the web 20 will be severed along the line of perforation 30 by the expanding diaphragm 120.

As will be described hereinafter, the label registration device I0 operates to insure that a line of perforation 30, will be located between the opposing grooves 116, I18 each time the apparatus is indexed. The air under pressure may be supplied to the groove I18 by an air supply hose 124 shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. Although only one label breaker 114 has been described in detail, it will be understood that a second similar label breaker is provided between the holding plate 90 and transfer plate 22.

In operating the label registration device, air is admitted through conduit 102 to urge the piston 100 to the position shown in FIG. 2. In this position, the piston rod 80 is extended to the left and the operating finger 86 is spaced a maximum distance from the lug 52. Accordingly, the bellcrank arm 54 is urged against the stop 58 through the connecting link 70 and the bias of spring 76 and the webs 18, 20 are free to travel a straight line path through the indexing device 10. Also in the position shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, the piston rod 95 is all the way to the left so that the yoke 99 and the horizontal transfer plates 22, 24 are in their maximum left-handed position. In this latter position, the horizontal transfer plates 22, 24 mate with the holding plates 90, 92 respectively over their entire horizontal length. Thus, it can be seen in FIG. 3 that the lefthand edge of transfer plate 24 is in alignment with the lefthand edge of holding plate 92.

Similarly in FIG. I, it can be observed that the right-hand edge of transfer plate 24 is in alignment with the right-hand edge of the holding plate 92. When the transfer plate 24 is in the position shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the vertical groove 116 in the transfer plate 24 is disposed opposite the vertical groove 118 in the holding plate 92 and the grooves 116, 118 appear as shown in FIG. 9. Accordingly, air pressure may be applied to the groove 118 through supply hose 124 to expand the diaphragm 120 and thereby sever the web at the line of perforation located between the opposedgrooves 116, 118.

The group of three labels severed from the leading end of the web 20 and the next group of three labels on the leading end of the web 20, still unsevered from the web 20, are held against the transfer plate 24 by applying a source of vacuum to the groove 28 in the transfer plate 24 through the vacuum line connections 106, 112 (FIG. 6).

The transfer plate 24, and of course the transfer plate 22, which operates in the same manner as transfer plate 24, are now ready to be advanced to the right. This is effected by admitting air under pressure via conduit 101 to the left-hand side of the piston 100 in the cylinder 78 whereby the piston 100 and piston rods 80 and 95 are advanced all the way to the right. This is the position of he parts shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. The stroke of the piston 100 is just slightly longer than the horizontal length of three connected labels 32 for reasons which will become apparent as the description proceeds.

This piston 95, in moving to the right, also moves the transfer plates 22, 24 to the right because the yoke 99 connects the transfer plates 22, 24 to the piston rod 95. As the transfer plate 24 moves to the right, it carries the three leading labels, which are connected to one another but severed from the web 20, to a position in alignment with the vertical transfer plate 34. Accordingly, the vacuum in the grooves 28 in the transfer plate may be cut off and vacuum applied to opposing vacuum grooves 126 in the vertical transfer plate 34 whereby the three labels are transferred to plate 34. Thereafter, an operating cylinder 128 is actuated to lower the vertical transfer plate 34 and the three severed labels to the containers C disposed therebelow, where the labels are applied to the containers C. The apparatus for applying the labels to the containers C does not form a part of this invention and is fully described in a copending patent application Ser. No. 860,133 filed July 29, 1969. Any further description of the apparatus for applying the labels to the containers is not deemed necessary for the purposes of this invention.

It will be understood that although only the operation of vertical transfer plate 34 has been described, a second vertical transfer plate 32 functions in a similar manner in conjunction with a horizontal transfer plate 22 to receive three connected labels and transfer the latter downwardly for application to the underlying containers C.

Returning to the operation of the label registration'and feed device, it will be recalled that the transfer plates 22, 24 also carry the three leading labels which are still connected to the webs 18, 20 respectively. Thus, as the transfer plate 24 moves to the right, it pulls the leading end of the web 20 along with it. The web 20 is unwound from its feed roll 16 and advances through the label registration device 10. During most of the rightward movement of the transfer plate 24, the web 20 travels a straight line path through the registration device 10. However, towards the end of the rightward stroke, the operating finger 86 engages the lug 52 on the bellcrank lever 48 and pivots the latter counterclockwise from the FIG. 3 to the FIG. 4 position. It should be pointed out that the web 20 is advanced at least a distance greater than the horizontal length of the two labels 32 before the operating finger 86 engages the lug 52 so that the bellcrank lever 48 does not pivot counterclockwise until after at least two connected labels 32 have passed through the indexing device 10. The operating finger 86 is arranged to engage the lug 52 as the third line of perforation 30 of the web 20 approaches the indexing device 10. Since the bellcrank lever 48 is connected to the arm 66 by the connecting line 70, it will be seen that as the bellcrank lever 48 pivots counterclockwise, the arm 66 also pivots with it. Accordingly, the two indexing rods 56 and 68 will be displaced to the position shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. Upon being displaced in this manner, the indexing rods 56,68 engage the webs 18,20 respectively and divert the latter from their straight line paths of travel.

Just before the piston 100 reaches the end of its rightward stoke, the bellcrank lever 48 will have been pivoted to its maximum counterclockwise position to abut the stop 60 and the parts will appear as shown in FIG. 4. In FIG. 4, it will be observed that the arm 54 rests against the stop 60 and that the third line of perforation 130 of the web 20 is still approaching the indexing rod 68. As the transfer plate 24 continues to be moved to the right by the piston rod 95, the web 20 advances to the right until the line of perforation 130 comes into contact with the indexing rod 68, as shown in FIG. 5.

Because the indexing rod 68 diverts the web 20 from its straight line path of travel and because the indexing rod 68 has a relatively small diameter, the line of perforation 130 tends to bend or crease on the indexing rod 68. As a result a resistance is developed. Expressed otherwise, it requires a greater force to pull the line of perforation 30 over and past the indexing rod 68. This increased resistance causes the web 20 to slip on the transfer plate 24 as the latter continues to move to the right to complete its stroke.

As previously mentioned, the stroke of the piston 100 and transfer plate 24 is slightly greater than the horizontal length of three labels. The transfer plate 24, in advancing to the right, will always pull three labels past the indexing rod 68, whereby the line of peroration between the third label and the remainder of the web 20 will engage the indexing rod 68 to ar rest the advancement of the web 20 as the transfer plate 24 completes its travel to the end of its stroke and the three advanced labels slide on the transfer plate 24.

Thus, the line of perforation of every third label will come to rest on the indexing rod 68. It will be apparent, therefore, that the position of the labels in the label feed device 10 will always be registered and any problems of the labels creeping forward or backward after a few cycles is avoided. The lines of perforation of the labels will always be positioned in the label feed device 10 at the same location, determined by the position of the indexing rod 68. Accordingly, every third line of perforation will come to rest in the desired location of the label breaker 114, i.e. between the vertical grooves 116, 118 of the transfer plate 24 and the holding plate 92 as shown in FIG. 9. Even through there may be slight irregularities in the spacing between the lines of perforation of the web 20 or there may be slight irregularities in slippage of the web 20 as it is advanced, such irregularities are cancelled by the indexing mechanism 10 in that the line of perforation 32 of every third label will come to rest on the indexing rod 68 when the latter is in the indexing and registration position shown in FIG. 5.

It will be observed that after the bellcrank lever 48 abuts the stop 60, the actuating finger 86 will come to rest. However, the piston 100 and piston rod cam continue to the end of the stroke as the actuating lug 86 slides on the piston rod 80 against the bias of the spring 88.

Upon completion of the stroke of the piston to the right, the horizontal transfer plate 24 has its right-hand forward half disposed opposite the vertical transfer plate 34 and its rearward or left-hand half opposite the right-hand half of the holding plate 92. Vacuum on the transfer plate 24 is cut off and vacuum is applied to the vertical transfer plate 34 and to the holding plate 92. The leading three labels, which, it will be recalled, were previously severed from the web 20, are thereby transferred to the vertical transfer plate 34 and the leading three labels still connected to the web 20 are trans ferred to holding plate 92. The three labels on the vertical transfer plate 34 are thereafter transferred to the underlying containers C as previously described. Positive air pressure may be applied to the appropriate grooves in the horizontal transfer plates to effect the aforementioned transfer.

The transfer plate 24 is now free of all labels and is ready for its return stroke to the left. During the return stroke of the piston 100, the operating finger 86 disengages from the lug 52 and the bellcrank lever 48 pivots clockwise, due to the bias of spring 76, to the position shown in FIG. 3, whereby the indexing rod 68 no longer diverts the web 20 from its straight line path of travel. The transfer plate 24! also returns to the position shown in FIG. 3 whereupon, vacuum in the grooves 96 of the holding plate 92 is cut off and vacuum applied to the grooves 28 in transfer plate 24.

Then the leading six labels on the web 20 are transferred from the holding plate 92 to the transfer plate 24. When the leading six labels are in this position, air pressure is applied to the label-breaking device 114 to expand the diaphragm 120 and sever the line of perforation separating the third from the fourth labels, as previously described. Thus, the cycle is ready to be repeated, as air pressure is applied to the cylinder 78 to advance the piston 100 and piston rods 80,95 to the right.

In the above description every third label is registered, indexed, and severed from the web. It will be understood that any number of labels may be registered, indexed and severed as may be desired. ln cases where each label in the web 18 or 20 is to be indexed, the bellcrank arm 48 may be continuously maintained in its indexing position shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 so that each line of weakness of the label will be indexed. in such a case, the actuating finger 86 maybe removed or otherwise dispensed with since it would not be necessary to pivot the bellcrank lever 48.

Although in the illustrated embodiment, two parallel webs l8 and are fed and indexed, any number of webs may be arranged in parallel thereto by adding additional indexing arms 66 and appropriate horizontal transfer and holding plates. lt will be apparent that any additional indexing arms may be actuated by the apparatus shown in the illustrated embodiment as it would merely be necessary to extend the connecting link 70 to the additional arms 66, whereby all such arms would be actuated simultaneously as an operating unit.

In the interest of clarity in the above description, it will be observed that in some instances, details of construction and operation of the apparatus for indexing and feeding of only one of the two webs l8 and 20 has been set forth. However, it will be readily apparent from the drawing that since two webs l8 and 20 are fed in parallel, a complete apparatus for handling each of the two webs is provided.

It is through that the invention and many of its attendant advantages will be understood from the foregoing description and it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form construction and arrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention or sacrificing all of its material advantages, the form hereinbefore described being merely a preferred embodiment thereof.

lclaim:

1. A registration device having utility for registering the position of labels as the are fed from a continuous web on which individual labels are separated by weakened lines, comprising:

transfer means for advancing the web;

indexing means having an indexing element disposed along the path of travel of the web as the latter is advanced, said indexing element having an indexing position which engages the web and diverts the latter from a straight line path of travel, whereby when a weakened line of the web engages the indexing element, said weakened line bends at the indexing element and a greater pulling force is required to pull said web past said indexing element;

and gripping means on said transfer means operable to permit slippage of the web relative to said transfer means when said weakened line is engaged by said indexing element.

2. A registration device according to claim 1 wherein said indexing element includes an elongated rod adapted to engage the web over substantially the entire width of the latter.

3. A registration device according to claim 11 wherein said indexing means comprises:

an indexing lever;

said indexing element being carried on said lever;

and said indexing lever being pivotal from a nonindexing position wherein the web traverses a straight line path past said indexing element to said indexing position wherein the indexing element engages the web and diverts the latter from its straight line path.

4. A registration device according to claim 3 further including stop means positioned to engage said indexing lever at predetermined pivotal positions to determine the nonindexing and indexing positions of said indexing lever.

5. A registration device according to claim 3 comprising:

actuating means for pivoting said indexing lever between said indexing and said nonindexing positions;

and said actuating means also being operable to advance said transfer means from a retracted position to an advanced position and during said advancement to pivot said indexing lever from a nonindexing to an indexing position.

6. A registration device according to claim 5 wherein said actuating means comprises:

a reciprocal piston rod;

an operating finger movably mounted on said piston rod;

said indexing lever having a lug thereon;

and said operating finger engaging said lug at the end portion of the advance stroke of the piston rod to pivot said lever from its nonindexing to its indexing position.

7. A registration device according to claim 6 further comprising:

means biasing said operating finger against a fixed stop on said piston rod;

said operating finger being adapted to slide on said piston rod away from said stop to allow the piston rod to continue to the end of its stroke after the indexing lever has been pivoted to its indexing position.

8. A registration device according to claim 5 wherein said actuating means includes a piston rod having a stroke slightly greater than the length of a predetermined plurality of individual labels on the web, said piston rod having means thereon operable to pivot said indexing lever from said nonindexing to said indexing position after one less than said predetermined plurality of labels have passed through said indexing means and to pivot said indexing lever to its indexing position before the next successive label passes through the indexing section, thereby to index said predetermined plurality of labels.

9. A registration device according to claim 1 wherein said transfer means includes a reciprocal transfer plate, and said gripping means includes passages opening up on the surface of said transfer plate, whereby vacuum applied to said passages will hold the web on said transfer plate.

10. A registration device according to claim 1 wherein said indexing means comprises:

a pair of indexing levers each operating as indexing rod;

and a connecting means joining said indexing levers to provide simultaneous pivotal movement thereof, whereby the indexing lever and associated indexing rods are capable of simultaneously indexing two separate webs.

11. A registration device according to claim 1 wherein said indexing means includes actuating means operable to allow a plurality of weakened lines on said web to pass through the indexing means without indexing. 

1. A registration device having utility for registering the position of labels as the are fed from a continuous web on which individual labels are separated by weakened lines, comprising: transfer means for advancing the web; indexing means having an indexing element disposed along the path of travel of the web as the latter is advanced, said indexing element having an indexing position which engages the web and diverts the latter from a straight line path of travel, whereby when a weakened line of the web engages the indexing element, said weakened line bends at the indexing element and a greater pulling force is required to pull said web past said indexing element; and gripping means on said transfer means operable to permit slippage of the web relative to said transfer means when said weakened line is engaged by said indexing element.
 2. A registration device according to claim 1 wherein said indexing element includes an elongated rod adapted to engage the web over substantially the entire width of the latter.
 3. A registration device according to claim 1 wherein said indexing means comprises: an indexing lever; said indexing element being carried on said lever; and said indexing lever being pivotal from a nonindexing position wherein the web traverses a straight line path past said indexing element to said indexing position wherein the indexing element engages the web and diverts the latter from its straight line path.
 4. A registration device according to claim 3 further including stop means positioned to engage said indexing lever at predetermined pivotal positions to determine the nonindexing and indexing positions of said indexing lever.
 5. A registration device according to claim 3 comprising: actuating means for pivoting said indexing lever between said indexing and said nonindexing positions; and said actuating means also being operable to advance said transfer means from a retracted position to an advanced position and during said advancement to pivot said indexing lever from a nonindexing to an indexing position.
 6. A registration device according to claim 5 wherein said actuating means comprises: a reciprocal piston rod; an operating finger movably mounted on said piston rod; said indexing lever having a lug thereon; and said operating finger engaging said lug at the end portion of the advance stroke of the piston rod to pivot said lever from its nonindexing to its indexing position.
 7. A registration device according to claim 6 further comprising: means biasing said operating finger against a fixed stop on said piston rod; said operating finger being adapted to slide on said piston rod away from said stop to allow the piston rod to continue to the end of its stroke after the indexing lever has been pivoted to its indexing position.
 8. A registration device according to claim 5 wherein said actuating means includes a piston rod having a stroke slightly greater than the length of a predetermined plurality of individual labels on the web, said piston rod having means thereon operable to pivot said indexing lever from said nonindexing to said indexing position after one less than said predetermined plurality of labels have passed through said indexing means and to pivot said indexing lever to its indexing position before the next successive label passes through the indexing section, thereby to index said predetermined plurality of labels.
 9. A registration device according to claim 1 wherein said transfer means includes a reciprocal transfer plate, and said gripping means includes passages opening up on the surface of said transfer plate, whereby vacuum applied to said passages will hold the web on said transfer plate.
 10. A registration device according to claim 1 wherein said indexing means comprises: a pair of indexing levers each operating as indexing rod; and a connecting means joining said indexing levers to provide simultaneous pivotal movement thereof, whereby the indexing lever and associated indexing rods are capable of simultaneously indexing two separate webs.
 11. A registration device according to claim 1 wherein said indexing means includes actuating means operable to allow a plurality of weakened lines on said web to pass through the indexing means without indexing. 